About me
I do answer all enquiries, but you may need to check your 'Junk' folder to find my reply. I have space available now for your sessions to begin.
I offer counselling online and face-to-face in the centre of Cheltenham.
You can rely on me to be supportive and non-judgemental. I offer a safe friendly place where you can talk honestly and openly about what is troubling you, in a way that just isn't possible with family and friends.
Over time, we'll start to see how past experiences and relationships link to how you are today. Working sensitively to see what gets in the way of your self-compassion and forming healthy relationships, and exploring positive changes is often core to how I work.
Because I am a certified Havening Techniques®️ practitioner I can also help you free yourself from distressing memories end emotions, and experience more calm and ease.
I also offer specific Havening Techniques(R) sessions to help with traumatic memories, phobias, chronic illnesses and pain, and ‘stuck’ feelings like anger, resentment, guilt or shame. It is often not necessary to describe in depth the distressing experiences, in order to clear the symptoms you are experiencing.
I am particularly aware of the extra stresses that being neurodivergent can bring, particularly when diagnosed as an adult. You may feel you must mask who you truly are, feel you are somehow broken or defective, or experience feeling excluded, frustrated and misunderstood.
My BACP membership is your guarantee that I work ethically and professionally. My training and experience will help us make sense of your experiences, but your life journey is unique. Whatever your background, I believe that when you are genuinely heard, understood and valued, you can find your authentic voice, and feel more in control of your life.
*Havening Techniques is a registered trademark of Dr Steven Ruden. Jo Cockwill is a certified Havening Techniques practitioner.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling awarded by the Gloucestershire Counselling Service (GCS) after having completing a three year course accredited by the British Psychoanalytical Council (BPC).
I have undertaken further training in Time-limited Psychodynamic Counselling which allows me to work over an agreed number of weeks in a focussed way on a specific client issue. This approach requires a thorough initial assessment of suitability as it is not appropriate for all clients or all situations.
I am also a certified Havening Techniques practitioner.
When trauma is present in the body, anything that even faintly resembles an original traumatising experience causes neural pathways in the brain fire, like tripping an internal alarm system. This sends a ‘woosh’ of chemicals through us that physically primes us to flee, fight or collapse in the face of an imminent threat. Havening works by very briefly activating the trauma response, then pairing stabilising touch to the arms, hands and face with neutral or pleasant mental activities, to create a safe ‘haven’ that allows the neural pathway to become inactive and permanently removed. When fully successful, the memory of the experience loses its power to trigger these unpleasant physical reactions in the present. See www.havening.org for more about Havening..
Nightmares may seriously disrupt restful sleep, and our peace of mind; particularly if we often wake in fear or confusion. Few people realise that nightmares can be treated very effectively - usually in just one of two sessions. I have been trained in Dream Completion Technique (DCT) by its developer, Dr Justin Havens. It is easy to do, and once learned, DCT can be used whenever nightmares arise - even as a symptom of trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Nightmares
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
I charge a flat fee of £50 per 50 minute weekly session, including the initial consultation.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
